Awesome sounds and snowy peaks are the hallmarks of this Olympic Valley gathering.

Published at 1:56 PM PST on Nov 9, 2017

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Awesome sounds and snowy peaks are the hallmarks of this Olympic Valley gathering. Eager to fold into the frosty-fun scene? Plan to be at the Tahoe-close fest over the first full weekend of April 2018.

A GREAT OUTDOORS MUSIC FESTIVAL? You can probably name some of the elements that help to make it stand out. A primo line-up of bands and singers, an assortment of quality vendors, some good, tum-pleasing vittles, and a few summer breezes, too. But while the first few things are always essentials, those summer breezes are not. True, a solid chunk of strummable, swayable, clap-your-hands spectaculars do have a way of popping up on the calendar during the warmer months, but there are a few frosty and cool, as in cool, as in you get us, festivals out there. One of the bluegrassiest ones around breaks out the fiddles and banjos and rootsy rhythms come early April each year, and if that has you thinking of the desert festivals, and how they're quite warm, pause instead to envision a tune-laden scene in...

SQUAW VALLEY ALPINE MEADOWS... from Friday, April 6 through Sunday, April 8, 2018 for the WinterWonderGrass Music and Brew Festival. The dates tell you the snowy story, for sure: There shall be white-capped peaks in the vicinity, and bundling up for your favorite band will be a wise idea. It makes for a bracing and beautiful weekend, and if such a mountain-fab outing tempts, best consider purchasing a ticket. They just went on sale, as of Nov. 9, and the line-up of acts is as bluegrassy as it gets. The Devil Makes Three, Railroad Earth, The Infamous Stringdusters, Elephant Revival, California Honeydrops, The Steep Canyon Rangers, and The Lil Smokies and Horseshoes are on the roster of some 25 acts (there are four stages in all). Are you feeling that alpine air, some crafty suds, and some pluckable ballads in your song-lovin' soul? Put this not-summer festival on your calendar, and put those tickets for the 4th annual go-around in your back pocket, soon.